Lamahatta boasts numerous natural attractions, from pine forests lining its edges to Kanchenjunga rising majestically above. As well as a prime trekking location, Lamahatta makes for an idyllic tourist experience.
Village life offers relaxing stays, with several homestays offering relaxing holidays amidst nature. A stunning garden and various other natural attractions can also be found nearby.
The Roadside Garden
Lamahatta Eco Park in Kalimpong is one of the best things to do and offers an incredible display of vibrant flowering plants with captivating hues, as well as prayer flags that flutter gently in the wind, adding another delightful aspect of serenity and peace to this lovely and peaceful park.
The park covers an expansive area of gently sloping hills shaded by tall dhupi and pine trees. You’ll find various bamboo and wooden gazebos where you can sit leisurely to meditate or relax – on clear days, even Mt. Kanchenjunga can be seen from here! A wooden watch tower offers panoramic views over this scenic locale.
This peaceful and romantic place is an ideal retreat for couples looking to spend some quality time alone together. Take time for nature walks in the Dhupi wilderness, appreciate its stunning nursery spaces, and visit other noteworthy attractions nearby.
Take the short trek route to a holy water body at the center of the park for an enjoyable excursion and relaxing break from city life. This area is well-kept, making it ideal for relaxation after an exhausting day on the job.
Reaching this lovely tourist attraction from Darjeeling hill town is straightforward, as it lies only 23km away. This village is home to people from various tribes, such as Sherpas, Yalmos, Tamangs, Bhutias, and Dukpas – who created this charming tourist spot together in late 2012. Villagers and forest protection teams collaborated in developing this gem of an attraction back then.
Hiking enthusiasts will find this destination ideal, as you can take in stunning mountain and river scenery from afar. Additionally, visit the Kalimpong Science Center to gain more insight into various areas of scientific research. Your children will especially love spending time here as several outdoor activities such as swings, climbing ropes, and other play structures keep them occupied during your hike.
The Watch Tower
The Watch Tower provides breathtaking panoramic views of its surroundings. This striking structure sits atop a hill slope amidst Pine and Dhupi forests, boasting colorful prayer flags to add charm.
As well as its breathtaking natural beauty, this location offers some incredible trekking routes that will leave you breathless. Explore two gorgeous ponds known as “Jore Pokhari,” take an exciting journey into an ancient monastery nearby, or even visit lovely mountain hamlets like Tinchuley for its outstanding Kanchenjunga and orange orchards views!
If you are planning a visit to Lamahatta, November-March is an excellent time, as the flowers will be at their peak bloom. Additionally, the climate remains mild so that you can take in beautiful views of mountains and valleys from any viewpoint in Lamahatta.
Lamahatta is an oasis of serenity located approximately 75 kilometers southwest of Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal and three hours by rail from NJP Railway Station near Darjeeling. If this doesn’t suit you, hire a taxi from Jorebunglow or any other tourist spot near Darjeeling to reach Lamahatta – otherwise, don’t expect too much luck getting here!
There are a few homestays located within Lamanhatta that you can book for your stay, with basic amenities that still offer warm hospitality from local people who will cook delicious food to make you feel at home. It would be wise to book one that provides room heaters in winter as temperatures can drop quickly.
Lamahatta Ecotourism was officially and commercially launched in 2012. The charming beauty of this mountain village and its vast forests of Pine and Dhupi trees, as well as breathtaking views of eastern Himalayan peaks and Teesta River, had captured West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, prompting her to develop it into a tourism destination.
The Homestays
Homestays at Lamahatta Eco Park provide travelers looking for an ideal getaway amidst natural beauty with breathtaking vistas, soothing climate, and friendly hospitality. In Darjeeling village, homestays offer stunning views, a soothing climate, and warm hospitality. Lamahatta Eco Park homestays are the ideal accommodation option for exploring local natural attractions, including Darjeeling Tea Estates.
Homestays at Lamahatta should be visited between March to May and September to November, as these periods offer ideal weather conditions and the chance to view blooming rhododendrons. Furthermore, visitors will be able to appreciate numerous tea gardens full of delightful aromas and breathtaking sights.
Denzongpa Homestay in Lamahatta offers cozy accommodations that make an ideal escape from city life. As soon as you walk through its doors, its mesmerizing surroundings will capture your interest – prices begin at INR 2,500 per night for this exceptional homestay experience in Lamahatta!
Pradhan Homestay in Lamahatta provides another relaxing homestay option, set amidst lush meadows. Each window frames stunning scenery. Here, the breathtaking beauty of nature will help you unwind in its peaceful ambiance – starting at INR 2,500 for this unforgettable Lamahatta homestay; you will feel refreshed and revitalized when leaving this unique stay behind!
Homestays in Lamahatta, such as Glenburn and Rongli Rangliot Tea Estate, can also offer visitors an enjoyable stay, providing breathtaking views of Mt. Kanchenjunga and scenic trails for exploring nature. Furthermore, these accommodation choices are located near popular tourist spots like Tiger Hill and Lovers Meet View Point for added convenience.
Homestays at Lamahatta can be reached from NPJ or Bagdogra Airports by taking a bus, taxi, or car and traveling the route directly. Travel time typically ranges between 2.5-3 hours from NPJ 3 from Bagdogra; renting a car can also provide more freedom in taking in all the sights along your travels to and from Lamahatta Village.
The Trekking Routes
Lamahatta, situated at the heart of the Eastern Himalayas and encased by dense pine and dhupi forests, is an enchanting mountain village full of natural attractions. It offers several trekking routes for adventure seekers to experience its charms.
Mamata Banerjee, then Chief Minister of West Bengal, was so charmed by its beauty when passing by a roadside mountain village that she decided to develop it into an eco-tourism destination. Since then, local villagers and forest protection teams have collaborated to transform it into this beautiful tourist spot; hence its name: Lama-Hatta is composed of two words, one meaning Buddhist monk and the other “hut.”
The picturesque hamlet offers the ideal escape for those searching for quiet away from city life. Surrounded by lush green hills, pristine rivers, dense pine, dhupi forests, and homestays that provide visitors with peaceful stays atop its sloped hills, visitors are guaranteed a unique and enjoyable stay here.
Visitors strolling around this area can admire gorgeous views of Kanchenjunga from its watch tower garden – particularly during early morning and evening hours. It makes a picturesque scene.
One of the most sought-after treks near Lamahatta is the Jorepokhari trek, taking tourists to two beautiful ponds known locally as Jorepokhari that are nestled amidst dense pine and dhupi forest, considered sacred by local villagers, making an ideal picnic spot. Furthermore, this journey also takes them past an 8th-mile organic center and serene meditation centers amidst scenic surroundings.
Lamahatta Park also provides easy access to several other trekking trails, with numerous trekking routes easily reachable from it. If you are daring enough, take an adventurous trek up to the park’s highest point, where there is an ancient lake; though beware that the climb can be very steep and may prove challenging if suffering from heart or joint conditions.
Tourists may visit Lamahatta any time of year; however, monsoon season should be avoided to minimize risks to travel. Roads tend to become slippery underfoot during rainstorms, and there may be risks of landslides in hilly regions that impede travel plans. Therefore, it would be prudent for visitors to contact homestays offering accommodation in Lamahatta and ask them for arrangements for a shared taxi service from NJP/Bagdogra to reach Lamahatta.
